October 10, 2016
We all have our own preferences when it comes to selecting a curry. Some of us like them hot and spicy, others like them nutty and sweet, whilst the rest enjoy a milder, gentler curry dish. There are those of us out there that are afraid to try something new, for fear of it being too spicy or just not containing a taste we enjoy in general, and this means that there are countless number of delicious curry dishes out there that will never pass your lips- and that really is a shame.
A large part of this apprehension is down to the fact that you may not be fully aware of what is actually used in each particular curry. You might be afraid to order a chicken madras because you just aren’t sure on what kind of spices are used in its creation. Well, we’re here at Nawaab to go through some of the most common spices used within Indian curry, to really put your mind at ease…
This is certainly one of the most common spices used throughout Indian cuisine. It is used to add a smokey, barbecue-like taste to a range of different Indian curry dishes, and is easily identified by its distinct fragrance and unmistakeable brown seeds. However, cumin is mainly used in its ground form, as this intensifies the flavour that it is able to produce, and it’s an absolute must for most of the curries out there.
This produces a sweet, delicate flavour that is rife throughout a range of Indian desserts. Its distinctive flavour is essential for a tasty dessert, and it also used in a blended format in a variety of spice mixes, like garam masala. Cardamom is perhaps the most well-known spice used in the cooking of curry, due to its versatility and distinct taste. A delicious lamb rogan josh will be packed with green cardamom.
Coriander is one of the most widely used spices throughout the world, and Indian cooking certainly makes use of it. Dishes such as chicken tikka masala make excellent use of coriander, blending it with the other spices to create an unforgettable taste. Coriander seeds are incredibly aromatic, and yet ground coriander is the most popular spice throughout Indian cooking.
At Nawaab, we utilise a range of different spices and ingredients to create a variety of delicious curry dishes, and that’s why we are the best Indian restaurant in London!
